A Muslim cleric arrested for spreading Al-Shabaab ideologies in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A cleric has been arrested by authorities in Somalia, with the government accusing him of teaching Al-Shabaab's radical ideologies to his followers even as the country struggles to contain the group which controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

The Ministry of Information noted that Mustafe Ali Anod was arrested in the Elasha Biyaha area within the capital Mogadishu and will be arraigned in court to respond to charges ranging from spreading violent extremism to working closely with the designated Al-Shabaab militants.

According to officials, the estranged cleric described the fans of the English and Italian soccer teams as "infidels" just ahead of the much anticipated FIFA World Cup which kicks off over the weekend in Qatar. This is the first time the tournament is being held in an Arab League country.

The cleric, authorities said, has been on the radar due to his radical teachings that have been motivating people to join the outlawed group which controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia. The Al-Shabaab militants are fighting to overthrow the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

His arrest comes hours after the United States Department of State increased rewards for people who will volunteer information about Al-Shabaab's sources of revenue, including through extortion, forceful taxation, smuggling, and financial contributions from sponsors inside and outside of the country.

The US, which is a major security partner of Somalia, says whoever gives credible information leading to the arrest or identification of sources of revenue, will get $10 million, an increase from the previous $5 million. Currently, a number of Al-Shabaab operatives are on the US radar.

Among those who are being pursued is the Al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Diriye alias Abu Ubaidah who has not been seen in public for over five years and his rival Mahat Karate, the head of the group's Amniyat Intelligence wing and finances. The two have a combined bounty of $20 million on their head based on revised rates.

GAROWE ONLINE